In this episode, Brogan, Luke, and Giles pull apart a persistent myth in musculoskeletal care: spinal traction (and the claims that it creates long term remodelling of the spine).
Despite being widely used across manual therapy and chiropractic circles, high-level evidence tells a very different story. We dive deep into systematic reviews, including a major Cochrane review of 32 RCTs, revealing that traction offers minimal to no long-term benefit for pain, function, or disability—and may even cause harm in some cases. We also explore how traction & X-rays continues to be promoted despite being absence from major clinical guidelines, and unpack why structural imaging, postural ‘corrections’, and spinal curvature targets are unreliable metrics to guide care. From adverse effects to flawed logic, we break down why the traction narrative needs to be re-evaluated—and what better, evidence-informed approaches clinicians should be turning to instead.
Spoiler alert: It’s time to stop pulling on spines and start pushing forward with science.
Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your fix.
Show notes:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1KAVD8wERXt4TM9jYmmlFTEbc06tMWJas/view?usp=sharing #RehabProfessionals #TractionMyth #MSKRehab #EvidenceBasedPractice #Chiro #Physio #ExercisePhysiology #RehabBlueprintPod
